in Pat Narduzzi, Pitt Basketball, Pitt Football, Recruiting 365 Words

Bits and Pieces, and another Big Recruiting Weekend

Been on vacation this week on beautiful Seabrook Island, South Carolina, and so you’d think I’d have written more. But with a two year old and a four month old on hand, well if you have kids you understand.

Fortunately everyone is napping at the moment so I’ve snuck away to sit by the ocean and catch up on the really important things…

A local brew from a new Pitt’s Pipeline State

Chris Peak did a nice job of clearing out all the recent links on Twitter, and so as Hemingway once said “Great writers don’t copy. Great writers steal”. In other words, thank you Mr. Peak.

The biggest news of the week (and the best feel-good story) goes to Aaron Donald. And rightfully so.

Some basketball / student related news

Old news on this board but we landed an “elite” running back from Florida

Actually in South Florida he is elite.

Here is the guy that’s listed ahead of him

Considering Rivals doesn’t even have Parrish’s picture one file I feel like there is a sight chance they missed on him. I mean for all they know he’s just some made up dude named Blake Carringer.

Give that Knighton looks to be heading to FSU, and given that FSU’s o-line is an even bigger question mark than Pitt’s, it will be interesting to see who has the better ACC career.

The Bryce Nelms story is a good one. My high school coach said linemen were supposed to be dumb. Maybe that was true when he played. It isn’t true about Nelms.

A brief PSN basketball piece about how our three guards need to improve their shooting, amongst other things

Speaking of basketball, local product Donovan Johnson was denied his senior year by the PIAA. Does Capel pull another reclassification rabbit out of his hat? Would be great if he could…

Back to Football and last but not least… we’ve got ten guys visiting this weekend and from what I understand some of them are big time recruits. Can Narduzzi finally get the four-star train rolling? (Insider Subs)

Well that’s it for now. Hoping for a few Pat signals on Sunday..

Hail to Pitt

Michaelangelo Monteleone

422 thoughts on “Bits and Pieces, and another Big Recruiting Weekend”

    2. JoeL – that looks awesome. Have fun galore.

      (Only thing “awesomer” would have been a Pitt hat…😊)

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  2. Honest to gosh JoeL, it looks like that’s your natural roots and not a tourist. Thanks for the pic buddy.

    Like

  3. Mike, I got the Blake reference and I think Rivals did miss on Parrish. I understand another site has him rated as a 4*

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    1. You mean the “Blake Countess is a made up player that rivals awarded three stars reference?” Lol

      What site?

      Like

  4. Yes, it validated my point for years that we need to stop worrying about this arbitration-al recruiting service BS. We all recognize the great player, that’s not rocket science but this crap between a 5.5 three star and on up is for suckers and complainers. Just ask the best defensive player in the NFL that just donated $1,000,000 to PITT

    Like

  5. I don’t know exactly what site but I read he was a four star recruit on one of them. Again, it really doesn’t matter but I will say this, Parrish wasn’t running past chumps. He played in a really good high school league and lots of teams wanted him.

    Like

      1. Watched an old Jack Benny show with one of my kids years ago. You remember he always claimed he was 39. My kid asked if he is going to lie about his age, why make it so old?

        Liked by 1 person

  7. I had her look at my comment. She’s a little pissed at me right now. Family coming over is a few hours. The wine should kick in later this evening after they all leave.

    Liked by 2 people

  9. the Tampa Bay Rays has just received permission from MLB to look into the possibility of playing split season where they play the spring and fall games in Tampa, and the summer games in Montreal.

    Maybe a Pitt branch campus in Macon, Fort Myers or Seabrook Island can be explored?

    Like

  10. Hey JoeL, please solve the Loc Ness Monster question while you are over there. If you see Nessie, take a good picture! Also, drink a dark ale for me at the local pub.

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  11. Prediction: Nelms will eventually coach an engineering major who will eventually design the new Ft Pitt Bridge (though most of us won’t be around to see it)

    Like

  12. Saw another video on RB Parrish where he looked quicker and more promising than he looked on the first video I saw… Runs tough and looks like a good get. 👍

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  13. Is there any chance that Capel will bring in one more recruit like maybe a foreign student? Perhaps a good JuCo might still be available. They still need another big.

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    1. VOR – Sure looks like the class is done, though if he can work out something with Donovan Johnson I’m sure he’d love to add him. Otherwise, I think that’s it.

      Like

    2. Johnson or bust at this point.

      Capel might need to consider tinkering with his staff down the road. The lack of depth in the post this upcoming season will be troubling to say the least. When you say you don’t want Toney at the four again and he will be playing minutes at the four there is some failure at recruiting.

      And no, I don’t want Capel fired any time soon.

      Like

  14. My gut… and the offers our recruits have tells me this, for the first time, is a better crop of players than Pitt has recruited for a long time. My GA friends tell me Parrish could be the next great running back at Pitt.

    Most of all, this is a well coordinated effort by Pitt. We have beaten Ped State 4 separate times for recruits. That alone is promising.

    I may not think that Duz can coach worth a crap but I applaud this significant coordinated improvement recruiting. So far it’s a success.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Just got in from golfing…Happy Birthday to Angie…have fun JoeL and welcome back Mark.
    Now a few 4 stars will make my weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. As I’ve mentioned before, this recruiting class will probably determine Narduzzi’s future tenure at Pitt. It MUST be a winning class with a few great players included

    Like

  20. FWIW. the ACC won the NCAA FB and MBB titles, It had 7 of the top 18 NFL draft picks, and 7 of the top 17 NBA draft picks

    One of the draft picks was Pittsburgher / ex-Pitt Cam Johnson who went 11th.

    Like

    1. Since Pitt joined the ACC 3 NCAA Football and 4 MBB titles from 4 different teams. Pitt’s biggest claim to fame is an NFL two time defensive player of the year.

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  22. Just adding a little temperance to the all of the enthusiasm regarding Henry Parrish.

    Not the fastest. As a Junior, consistently running in the 11.4 range in the 100.

    Still looks to be a GOOD Back. But don’t expect him to be outrunning D-Backs in the ACC.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Yes I agree. Just from the eye test on his tape the other guys looks a tick faster. Dion Lewis and Ray Graham didn’t have elite speed either and I would take either of those guys again

      Like

  23. Can’t argue that Cam Johnson’s move to NC was a wise one (getting away from KS) and I am happy for the kid and his family….

    but, he ditched Pitt so he is dead to me, LOL.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. I think Pitt’s recruiting has seemed to be quite organized and I like the players they are going after.
    They need results on the field this year to close out on a good class.

    This is most likely Whipple’s last tour of duty. Who knows how long he will coach. If PN was smart, he would have Whipple groom his predecessor. That way, if the offense is good, you have a coach in the waiting.

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    1. Interesting article, but how do you rate Narduzzi with all the obstacles that are inherent at Pitt? Wanny had the best record but even he had many weak areas.

      Here is a random thought, in today’s football, Tony Dorsett leaves after three years and Pitt never gets it NC.

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  26. One of the symptoms of Narduzzi’s recruiting is that he gets little to no immediate help from the freshman class each year and relies on upper class men almost exclusively. Most great players start or at least get significant playing time as freshmen and have an immediate impact. Even our redshirt freshmen have little impact.

    The new rule allowing freshmen some playing time while maintaining a fifth year of eligibility won’t help Pitt as much as others since they recruit most kids that aren’t ready to go.

    It does appear that the dependence on one year transfers may be lessening. Great to get them if they are going to have an impact, but not when they have to fill an absolute void.

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  27. Pull up your boot straps boys and girls it’s going to be a wild ride this weekend. Cross your fingers, toes and eyes for good luck. Again I think there are four 4* players in the group along with Hayes from Westinghouse among others. I’m hoping Narduzzi gets at least 2 out of that group of 5.

    Like

  28. Gordon Conn, Joel hikes into the village of Portwenn, wearing his PittPOV shirt. So Sheriff Joe Penhale of course becomes suspicious of this new stranger from the US, and asks Joel about the shirt. Joel replies that it is signifies his favorite football team. And Penhale begins to think that he has never heard of a soccer team named Pitt, and does some research and finds no such soccer team exist throughout the UK.

    Meanwhile, Joel, unable to find Cornish Ale at the local pub, succumbs to Bert’s insistent prodding and tries Bert’s homemade whiskey, which of course is tainted because once again Bert cut corners and used grain he was able to buy cheap from some heister. Penhale comes into the pub with the thought that Joel is up to no good but Joel becomes ill and vomits all over Pennhale. Then Doc Martin is called away from the Surgery to come to the pub and treat Joel who is suffering from food poisoning.

    Pennhale tells Doc that when he has finished with Joel, that he wants to take him into his office and question him, and as always, Doc ignores him. Meanwhile Jeff Capel comes into the village in search of a big man, and Pennhale notices his script Pitt insignia on his jacket and becomes even more suspicious. But Capel is able to convince him that Pitt is an American university by showing him on the internet.

    Joel recovers and Capel, unable to find a big man, drives him back to Conrwall, and Joel is comped a few season BB tickets

    Like

        2. Love the Doc Martin stuff – (as long as there’s no bleeding involved, of course… 😊)

          Go Pitt.

          Like

  29. What are the obstacles of recruiting at Pitt? Are they true or are they fixable? If fixable, it’s a management problem. If truly an obstacle, what is the solution? I guess I don’t understand the obstacles unless you are saying the obstacles at Pitt….are Pitt!

    This has been Pitt’s marketing operandi for years. Convince them we are trying and we will take advantage of them until they die. Forget abut the 5 year plan (evidence by their scheduling, ocs, coaching, recruiting).

    Not playing frreshman, even for 4 games per year, shows you are not recruiting impact players. The draft provides additional evidence. I am not Narduzzi, but if I had all these great gets that narduzzi says he has, he should be playing them as frshman in those 4 games at the end of the year. By doing that, it let’s the kid know he has potential and gives him something to work towards for his first off season. To me, if you don’t see the field as a freshman (whether it is regular time or the 4 game non-redshirt, you just weren’t good enough. I want to see three impact freshman per year (in some capacity at least).

    Played two rounds of golf this week in the 100’s. That was a temperature reference, not score…..not one cloud in the sky! One of the foursome is from largo, fl and the other from tampa and atlanta. We talked about Pitt getting time on the “Sunshine Network: as I have been saying for years. Still nothing. The high school players watch

    Go get some impact players. Rawlings and Hayes would be a good start. Hard to convince out of state 4 stars to come, with their options and a lack of 4 star locals that don’t/won’t commit. The impression is that the locals know Pitt better than they ever will and if the locals don’t join, there must be a problem.

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    1. What obstacles? Let’s see, the small recruiting footprint to begin with and now the dearth of players in the WPIAL forcing recruiting to go National. The lack of any recent history of competitive football. The recent history of Pitting and SOP major fails. Being sandwiched between PSU, tOSU and WV, which all place a higher priority on football, and have rabid fan bases, speaking of which…. Pitt’s fanbase is small, quiet and largely apathetic. No OCS, revolving coaches, competition for interest from professional sports teams, no ACC network till this year. At least that one is being addressed. The unusual nature of a city school, which is not a draw for country boys. The weather!
      The media which treats Pitt as an afterthought at best and a whipping boy or laughingstock at worst.

      Have I left anything out?

      No golf for a week here, just stopped raining today and courses are under water. Not all bad though, my back needs a rest.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Agree with the obstacles you outlined. So maybe the instead of questioning why Pitt doesn’t get blue chip recruits, the question should be how does Pitt get the highly rated 3 stars that it does get?

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    2. Green, Fralic and Dorsett were impact freshmen. Conner, Stepnoski and D.Jells were impactful freshmen.

      Bostick, McCoy and D.Lewis made an impact as freshmen – the HC has to play the freshmen for them to have an impact.

      Think about that for one minute.

      Liked by 1 person

        1. He won the famous 13-9 game and also beat ND. Two of our games to be proud of. Somewhat of a short list.

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          1. note that the majority of impact freshmen were WRs or RBs where natural skills and instincts are utilized. Few linemen were like Fralic who was a freak who could step right in; most have to get stronger. Even 5-star Dorian Johnsons struggle mightily his first 2 years

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  30. Back to Henry Parrish …. remember this, last year for back-ups to Ollison and Hall, Pitt had two 4-stars, AJ Davis and Salahuddin. Yet, it was a frosh 3-star Vilique Carter who saw more action than the aforementioned 4-stars and rushed for more yardage than those 2 combined.

    Yes, 4-stars are always welcome but where do Pitt fans come off turning up their noses to a 3-star from Florida ……….. A Bryant, G Mustakas, T Cox, G Lee, J Sheard, C Session, HB Blades, S Gordon, (off the top of my head) back before Wanny’s recruiting budget were cut. Now, Camp, V Williams, DeMathis, Carter, Shockey J-L, are underclassmen who have already shown promise in their 1st or 2nd years. And how about FL 2-stars Rashad Weaver and Greg Romeus? (I/’m sure with some research, I can come up with more)

    Parrish had > 2,000 all purpose yards playing in Florida’s top tier (biggest schools) leading his team to a 14-1 record before falling by 2 points (37-35) in state finals … team that was ranked 6th nationally

    Liked by 1 person

    1. V Carter had something that the others did not, speed, but even that proved to not be enough as he was largely ineffective after some early success.

      The other guys were largely clones of the starters and I think will do well this year if the O-line opens some holes to run through.

      I agree that the 3 star guy is the backbone of the team and can develop into stars as pointed out. However a few superstar studs would certainly make a difference, no matter how many stars they come with, Fitz, Shady, Lewis, Boyd, AD, Revis, guys who make a big difference in wins and losses.

      Liked by 1 person

  31. Some ‘fans’ are either too lazy and just look at the star rating, others just like to whine and bitch, but most obviously agree with this being a really nice pickup. Welcome young Mr. Parrish! Now let’s hope for similar success with a few OL & DL, where football games are ultimately won.

    Liked by 2 people

  33. yes – lets just give up on recruiting elites because Pitt has so many obstacles. Well, many other schools have obstacles as well yet they find a way.

    Lets not leave Narduzzi off the hook regarding recruiting.

    Its never been easy to recruit impact players to Pitt but Pitt managed to find impact players under every coach.

    The obstacle that many dont see is in plain sight.

    Like

  34. Interesting…Steven Adams stops by the Pitt campus for a cup of coffee on his way to the NBA and some folks here can’t stop gushing over him as a Pitt man…Cam Johnson actually graduates from Pitt, makes a smart move to get away from a bad situation, goes on to be the No. 11 pick in the first round of what is just a two round draft, and some have to say something negative about him.

    Liked by 2 people

  35. Well said HbgFrank. Obviously, the diff. is Cam transferred to another school, in conference no less, so some peoples’ negative perspectives are understandable to an extent, but that said Cam made the best move for his future career and it worked out probably better than he could’ve expected, and he avoided one of the worst coaching hires in Pitt history, kudos to him, seems like a great kid too.

    Like

  36. Notrocketscience – On Cam … I’m extremely happy for him. Without moving to UNC there is no way he’s a top 15 pick in the NBA draft. The argument against him was, and will always be, completely absurd. Letter of intents are shams that agents would tear apart if they were allowed to have them … which they should.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Totally agree. I have no problem with kids transferring. In my opinion, as a Pitt fan, going to a school in the same conference is crappy. Just my opinion, I know many disagree. I know it was in his best interest, obviously. I said I was happy for him, doesn’t mean I like it as a fan.

      Like a woman breaking up with you and immediately dating your best friend that is way more successful, LOL.

      Liked by 2 people

  37. MM – I love the link dumps. Chas used to do them. No shame in it at all … Getting information out is great.

    Liked by 2 people

  38. Good for Cam…Let’s hope kid brother stays home…but you never know with these Tobacco Road schools…Cam’s family might have “Blue Heaven” living accomodations down here in Chapel Hill courtesy of the Rams Club……..

    Liked by 2 people

  39. JoeL..BTW if you were standing on a links course in the pic(s) I would say “that is big water hit over and that cart path looks so damn narrow..would be a real challenge after consuming a few pints……

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  40. I also am happy for Cam. What upset me is that even though Pitt had blocked Cam from transferring within conference, UNC had assured him that it was no issue for him going there well before a ruling was made. But of course …. they’re UNC, apparently they can get away with just about anything

    Liked by 2 people

  41. I list the obstacles to help put recruiting success/failure in perspective. It is not done in a vacuum and while over the years we have had some great players, we have not had enough difference makers since the eighties.

    Salesmen are only as good as what they have to sell. There is a range.

    Pitt can not tell kids they will be in a major bowl in their four years, so rule those kids out that think that is important. Pitt cannot say you will play in front of 100,000+ crazy fans every home game, so rule those kids out that want that.

    Does it mean that we should give up or that we can’t do better, of course not.

    But recruiting has as much or more to do with the school as it does with the coach.

    It seems that more local kids grow up wanted to play for ND than Pitt. Very little of that is on the coach.

    So keep that in mind when evaluating results, just like wins and losses are done in relationship to the strength of the schedule.

    Liked by 4 people

      1. that didn’t come out tight …. his announcement tweet started with “God, Country, Notre Dame”

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  42. For Cam Johnson, he benefited from a four year University of Pittsburgh education while only giving 2 years of playing time. Personally, I don’t think that was living up to what PITT offered or what he signed up for.

    BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE

    I whole heartily agree with the decision he made for a couple reasons

    (1 Stallings and enough said.. << speaks for itself!

    (2 Opportunity, who can blame the young man for working hard in the class rooms and moving on to greener pastures? Good on Cam.

    But who paid for his bum leg or whatever injury he had his freshman year? I’m in the middle of this debate. Also proud of a former PITT BB player who was drafted #11 to the NBA.

    Let’s break it down…..

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    1. He graduated. End of story. He can do whatever he wants. Imagine if you had an academic scholarship, graduated, and had a chance for a post grad scholarship but weren’t allowed to go even tho the other scholarship had potential to a better salaried career …

      Everything else is just the cost of doing business.

      Like

  43. Back to football:

    I just love how some folks love to blame Narduzzi on the coin flip debacle when he sent his captain out for the coin flip to make a grade school decision on how a coin lands. << Seriously, is this poor coaching? I’m asking.

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    1. its mostly on Dog
      He told Biz to ‘defer’
      most coaches would stick to something more simple and straight
      we want to kick off or we want to receive

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        1. He picked the wrong captain if the Captain can’t do a basic command. So the buck stops with him.

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          1. I don’t disagree Mark but how would he know Bookser would not know how to say DEFER?

            Bettis messed up the coin toss in the super bowl.

            That’s on the player.

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            1. Because the ref doesn’t ask about deferring. They ask you if you want the ball. He then got confused. His choices were to kick or receive.

              The Goose once said ‘if I wanted to use fancy words like defer, I would have gone to penn state.’

              Like

      2. Yep, that is obviously a much too complicated instruction for a captain of the team to have to follow.

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    2. It’s utter incompetence and Duzz’s complete lack of attention to detail. Biz was the messenger and he was not properly informed. It was picked up immediately by all the TV announcers and made Pitt to look like A holes before we made ourselves look like A holes with our play.

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      1. C’MON …. you people are pathetic!! The word ‘defer’ has been part of the football lexicon for 2 decades now. If you honestly think ‘defer’ is a lack of detail …. that may say more about you than anything else.

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  44. Don’t ya just love the story bout Leveon Bell leaving 2 Bare naked ladies on his bed and they took off with over a half million dollars…moral of the story ” Leave only one Bare-naked lady and cut your loses..”

    Liked by 3 people

  46. Leveon will be the “butt” of many jokes for years to come. Do they come any more stupid than him? 🙂 I liked the article about coaches and their recruiting success in year 2, but I wonder what happens in years 3 and 4. Most followers of these pages believe that coaches develop more contacts and high school coaching relationships over time, and that continuity (i.e. same system, and fewer coaching changes) should produce better results over time. So years 3 and 4 should be better in the “rebuilding” process, shouldn’t they?

    Like

    1. Pitt has been very unstable during narduzzi. Coordinators and assistants leaving left and right
      No identity
      That’s a major reason why its difficult to recruit.

      Like

  47. Item of note: On the PSN, if you guys and gals go on there. Look at the difference in the colors between the new home and away uniforms that just arrived. Striking to me. The away uni looks more like the national champion years. Sorry, I won’t transpose their stuff over to here.

    Like

    1. Inconsistent colors
      Looks like navy blue
      If that’s the case, heather has blown something so simple
      So we are Pitt at home but look like Notre Dame away
      That’s freakin genius

      Like

      1. I don’t see any resemblance, but maybe we can be the Fightin’ Irish Panthers…

        Then maybe some CC players will go to Pitt.

        Go Pitt.

        Like

    5. I agree the blue letters on the white Jersey look darker than the blue jersey themselves. I can’t figure out if that’s because of the lighting or if it’s actually darker.

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    6. My God, now we are just searching for something, anything to complain about. In this case, making up that the colors some how changed from the reveal to now. Come on.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Just pointing out the colors do look different between home and away. If so that is stupid branding. But this is Pitt.

        Like

  49. Actually to me, the away uniforms are more like the early eighties and better colors.

    My friend Dan, If a coach can’t send a senior captain out to say “defer” in the case of winning the coin toss… what’s he supposed to do? He can’t do nothing Benny. The kid mucked up, plain and simple. Not the first time he made a stoopid mistake the past few years.

    Like

  50. I coached little league baseball for 13 years and soccer for 3 years before that. Oh do I have some great and funny stories if anyone has the time. This one little guy in soccer was a real piece of work. Before the opening kickoff he wasn’t standing any further than 15 feet from me. I told him when the ball is kicked you run down the field toward their goal. One second later………….. Take a guess what he did.

    Like

    1. VoR, I could have taught you a thing or two. Although at that age, to me, it was more about learning sportsmanship than wining a baseball game. Sounds like you have that down. I will say, Latrobe won the PA. Little League state championship in my last year of coaching and one of my players was a starting pitcher. Latrobe lost to a team in the regional, Toms Rivers, from New Jersey that had Todd Frazier as their starting pitcher.

      Like

  52. I worked in Pittsburgh today and coming home, as I crossed the Ft. Pitt bridge I looked over at Heinz Field and found the Pitt script, big and bold on the jumbotron. I assume that was to make an impression on the football campers visiting this weekend, but at any rate, it was a beautiful sight to see!

    Liked by 3 people

  53. formerlywbb – just saw your piece above with the Doc Martin references and had a good laugh. Never made it to. Port Isaac (Portwenn) as it’s now a tourist trap. Thanks for the laughs. H

    Next POV Open!

    Liked by 2 people

  55. Regarding the uni’s..McDonalds should sue PITT for trademark infringement….ARCHES….I spent 5 years roaming that campus and not once have ARCHES come to mind when I attended or reminisce PITT. Only a non-PITT Pperson, girlyman designer come up with that BS and approved by a non-PITT administrator.

    Maybe they come out with a Fralic throwback uni….the real deal…

    Liked by 1 person

  56. Regarding the coin toss blunder…DEFER is the problem- too complicated.too big of a word. Keep it simple-KICK or RECEIVE….

    Like

  57. JoeL.. thanks for sharing with us. I don’t travel much outside of PITT games. Nice to see parts of the world though friends. That course and clubhouse remind me of Ole Stonewall in Beaver Co. Love the small green and strategically placed boulders…

    Like

  59. last row…I am an “ idea man.” I come up with ideas but others need to do the work….I told Heather after the ACC championship game my idea of “ NO ‘EER yellar!” See how that one worked out… I can bitch because we strapped on “ tweety bird “ yellar helmets at Apollo Ridge…if we , the players, only had a choice….

    Like

  60. I understand we have our first Pat Signal of the weekend – about ten minutes ago.

    Anyone of the ten visitors would be fine by me.

    H2P!

    Like

  63. Rumor has it that this latest commit is 4*!OT Aaryn Parks who recently de-committed from psuX.

    Don’t get your hopes up, but if the rumor is true, well this weekend could be a winner.

    Like

    1. That would be HUgE.

      Could also be this guy

      Like

      1. If we get Hayes we should all be very happy. He is one guy where stars def do not matter.

        Like

        1. He is a 5.7
          Doesn’t play against great competition that’s probably why
          He probably becomes a 4 star after his senior year

          Great offer list
          He looks like he could start as a freshman and actually be a monster
          The type of immediate impact player that’s needed
          Pitt can’t afford to lose him

          Like

      2. Hayes or Rawlings would be even better IMO. All three are positions of need and very good players.

        Like

        1. Rawlings gets a bonus star from
          The Pitt POV recruiting service because he’s a tight end

          Liked by 3 people

  64. Great pictures from JoeL looks like spectacular weather to go with the scenery. Good weather here for the recruiting weekend. Hope it brings a bunch of verbals.

    Like

    1. What are you going to do when PITT gets a couple four stars this weekend Mark. 🙂 Buy a case of gorilla glue?

      Like

  66. Hayes is considered the best WPA recruit. I’ve seen where he is rated as a bigger get than 4* Carmondy

    Like

  68. I used Gorilla Glue last weekend for a home repair. So far it has held up. I’ll let you know in two weeks if I think it would help win 10 games.

    Another rumor says there is now a 2nd Pat Signal this morning.

    Keep them coming.

    Like

    1. Gorilla tape is awesome too…held my wife’s fender in place on her car after an accident until we could get it to the body shop.

      Like

  71. Yep four in EE. PITT is running out of scholarships now. Pretty sure Narduzzi will make room for anyone else from this weekend want to join the Coastal division champions.

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  72. What a great idea Narduzzi and his coaching staff came up with to bring all these recruits in at the same time. Twice this year!

    Like

  73. I prefer Loc Tite to Gorilla Glue but I sure do like Gorilla Tape..

    Despite it’s obstacles CAN and SHOULD get 4-5 4 star recruits every season. To many posters point, some of them don’t pan out- perhaps that will be Me Parrish’s fate (not too impressed with his tape or raw numbers)- but statistically they succeed at a much higher rate. I’m glad Narduzzi got Parrish. If he adds another 3-4 4 stars, I’ll gladly give him kudos. Beat UNC ONCE and maybe I’ll throw in an “atta boy.”

    As for Can, there’s no “right” answer. Whether you feel he fulfilled his part to Pitt or not is simply an opinion. Whether it’s good for fans or not- I don’t believe it is- it worked out well for him. It doesn’t always work out so well, with some kids transferring 2, 3 or more times rather than sticking it out. There was a comment above regarding the legality of LOI’s- and respectfully, you’re wrong. Even the players unions in all the major sports couldn’t collectively bargain unrestricted free agency. It’s not likely college kids could pull it off.

    In the end, the Cam situation boils down to this for me.. he left Pitt, put on the jersey of another team and competed against us. I have no ill will for the young man. I wish him well in the NBA. But, to me he’s no Pitt man- he’s a Tar Heel.

    Like

  74. another Pat Signal just went up 10 minutes ago …. making a total of 5 this morning. Nobody who they are, you will be (1) pleased, (2) displeased or (3) somewhat pleased but think they should do bit better

    Like

  75. BTW, whether its Gorilla glue, Super glue or Loc Tite … it will take at least 3 or 4 days to wash it completely off my finger tips

    Like

  76. I was just about to say that a 40% closing rate beats the 30% from last weekend – and low and behold, Pat Signal #5 appeared.

    So that means at least one is a gem from the four 4’s and two highly rated 3 WPIAL studs.

    H2P!

    Like

  78. what I read on Patherlair the other day is that a total of 10 recruits are visiting this weekend, and they all are valued recruits. I believe the make-up is four 4-stars and six 3-stars.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So if all of them are from this weekend we are up to a 60% close rate. 🔥🔥🔥

      Like

    2. Even if they aren’t … 32 visitors last two weeks. 11 commits. That’s one in three which is not too shabby

      Like

  79. This is shaping up to be an historic day for Coach Duzz and Pitt. In the future we may look back on this day as a game changer for the direction of the program. I have to say that I’m impressed by the recruits we’ve gotten so far. When the list of offers from other schools includes the top programs in the country you know the quality of the recruit is good.

    Liked by 2 people

  80. Pat Signal #6 is rumored to have flashed 15 minutes ago. If true, at the very least Pitt should have a 4 star or one of the two WPIAL 3 star studs.

    Stay tuned UPitt – we can smoke a victory cigar if one is a 4 star.

    Like

    1. I have a good one waiting Erie!

      Jay – Text you back waiting on plans from my old man. We can play Summit or Nemacolin.

      Like

  81. Did the signal just go up again? I just saw one 13 minutes ago, but can’t tell if that is number 5 or what…..

    Let’s get to the name reveals as there is some golfing to be done. Playing Southern Highlands today in Vegas!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Okay – I don’t agree at all, but now I understand your thinking a bit better…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  83. Yep, that’s 6 Huff the Third. Narduzzi lets the kids post on twitter and announce themselves. Banner and history making day????

    Like

  85. Check in later fellas and lady. Dragon Ridge and Cascata the last few days and Southern Highlands today. Saw Michael Jackson One last night at Mandalay. Awesome show. Took my mid teens with me and they were impressed. Actually surprised at how much of his music they know.

    Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam earlier in the week too. Will need a vacation when I get back from vacation. .

    Liked by 2 people

  86. Maybe top 20 at the end of the weekend, Early in the recruiting year but gets you noticed by future recruits because you are on the first page. You seem relevant at that stage….than it is maintaining! Go get some 4 stars and keep em!

    I am not a fan of letting kids commit and then take visits. I think Wanny said that if you commit to Pitt, you’re it. If you go elsewhere for a visit, I pull it. I like that philosophy.

    Liked by 1 person

  88. The 4-star hasn’t shown up yet on Rivals 2020 recruiting board count and I can see everyone is all giddy, yes giddy, about Pitt’s two recruiting weekends but have you looked how Pitt’s recruiting compares to the other ACC schools? They also recruit by the way. Pitt is currently 10th in the ACC. Can you see the forest through the trees?

    https://n.rivals.com/team_rankings/2020/all-teams/Football

    Clemson
    Miami
    North Carolina – yes old Mack is back
    Florida State
    Georgia Tech – apparently the new coach can recruit
    N.C. State
    Louisville
    Wake Forest
    Boston College
    Pitt

    Liked by 2 people

    1. And if we land one four star and the rest are threes, we will be up to fifth or sixth by the end of the weekend. THAT is why everyone is giddy

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Pitt recruiting has gotten so bad that people are getting giddy over a 5.5 rated ‘4’ star with a Domer offer

        Like

    1. Ike- I’m going to be polite. don’t make it an us vs them thing. We’re all Pitt fans.

      Yes some like me have shown with facts that narduzzis recruiting has slipped every year. And last year was by far his worst.

      Let’s see how this year finishes and if he is able to get at least half his class rated 5.7 and above. I still doubt he comes close to landing 4-5 four stars

      Other division schools like ga tech, Carolina and Virginia are killing it on quality. And their fans don’t make a million excuses on why they can’t land elites.

      Like

      1. TX — seriously, if you were a recruiter, would you rather have your challenge be to get an elite player to go to UNC or Pitt?

        Go Pitt.

        Like

        1. it would be a greater challenge to convince them and their parents to be coached by an old goat at a school known for fake classes and more for basketball

          Liked by 1 person

        2. I would know my competition
          Recruit that gets offered by Franklin – i have 3-4 things to say about the coach and school. Nothing negative. But stuff to make you think. things like – looks like ohio state has franklins number, are you ok going to a school not known for diversity, u like the color white (worn by 95k white people), do you know the job prospects for those with basket weaving degrees, do u like the smell of cow poo, I can go on

          but you have a few things in your pocket for each of the schools based on facts. Get the kid to think. to doubt. to reconsider. youre doing the kid a favor. both sides need to be a good fit.

          Pitt is an easy sell. but nothing is done in a vacuum. theres always competition and u need to know its flaws.

          Just like Pitt’s flaws are a yellow stadium and choking in bowl games. But I’d also know how to counter those if brought up

          so know your flaws and your rivals. no school is perfect

          but for those who think that Pitt just has too many obstacles and Pitt will never get a good supply of elite talent are just peddling gobbledygook

          Like

        1. I have my metrics. 18 percent is nothing to brag about. Rah rah Pitt is bearting out Notre Dame for 5.5 stars. I’ll get excited when we beat Miami or Tech for a 6.0 four star.

          Like

  92. Ike – he has only recruited 3 stars up to this point. If he gets 3-4 4 stars as well then he is doing good. As far as his recruiting still lacking it will stay that way until Narduzzi delivers on 4 stars and a few of them.

    Like

    1. Don’t speak too soon my good buddy. Seriously. I’m not expecting any ground breaking recruiting class but it should be better than the last few. BTW, I think they were way under-rated.

      Like

        1. Oh yes fast. And he’s got wiggle. Still, I feel like the four star rating is something of hyperbole. Glad to have him tho

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Looks like he runs a lot of read option. I’m sure they can reach him how to catch and run routes

            Like

            1. from Pantherlair story on Addison

              “I would be the z-receiver so I will move around a bit from wide out and into the slot,” Addison said. “When I’m in the slot, it can create a miss match on the linebacker who’s trying to cover me.”
              That role is similar to the one Maurice Ffrench will play for Pitt this season, and Addison said the senior receiver was his host on the visit.

              Like

      2. I’m still waiting to enjoy my victory cigar with UPitt.

        I hope it’s not revealed during breakfast tomorrow.

        Like

  95. from looking at his highlights, it’s reminiscent of Dane Jackson and Tre Tipton who played just about every skill position in high school …. and DB

    Like

  96. All skill guys love stats – especially their own…

    Given what he’s done stat-wise with WRs and TEs in the past, I expect Coach Whip to attract elite players to Pitt at these positions.

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    1. Coach Whip will attract even more elite players if he can turn Pickett and his receivers this year into having a very productive passing year this coming season.

      Liked by 1 person

  97. If any of the recruiting expert rate someone as four star………… I roll with it. Every other school does. It’s too subjective not too. F rivals.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Of course you do Ike. That way you can cherry pick between three different sites to support your devotion to Narduzzi.

      Rivals is the most accurate and the industry leader and what I see so far are all 3* recuits with only one 5.7 rating.

      In other words Same old, same old.

      Like

      1. No, that’s not what I do Reed. I’m realizing that one scouting service feels like a player is better than another. I’m not married to rivals or any other one. You can stick with Rivals and I think they could be the best service out there, but if another few eyes see a player differently it means something to me. It works both ways with me. As an example, Parrish is rated the second best running back in south Florida. Rivals ranked him a 5.5. Are they right? Or is it too subjective to hang your hat on it? You figure it out.

        Like

        1. dude thats still cherry picking
          you never mention those recruits rated high by Rivals but have low rankings in the other services…you conveniently ignore those
          when all 3 services see the same thing you can bank it

          Right now Pitt has 2 out of 11 recruits ranked 5.7 or above
          thats a 18% ratio

          last year was 15%

          the offers among the 5.5 guys look good but you really have to seriously question if they are legit
          these schools could very well tell recruits we’ll offer you but if a 4 star commits, you’re dropped
          I really dont think these are firm offers
          if i was a recruit getting a real offer from a school like Michigan, Miami or some other national power, i’d either commit on the spot or aggressively go on my 5 official visits

          none of Pitt’s recruits have gone on any official visits besides Pitt
          That strikes me as very odd

          so this years class is looking very similar to last year with the exception of the offer sheet
          i guess i would rather have a fake Michigan offer than a real Elon offer

          I’d really like to know why a 5.5 rated kid with offers from UCLA, Michigan and Florida State would pick Pitt. I thought you all said Pitt couldnt compete against these other schools due to ‘constraints’

          so either these ‘constraints’ are BS or the offers are BS

          Liked by 1 person

  99. Yawn. How dare you pitt fans show any excitement for some recruits. Don’t you know your supposed to be miserable and criticize every move Narduzzi makes?

    Liked by 2 people

  101. The hoopies received a commitment today from a 4 star OL from NJ – 6’5” 300 lbs.

    Go figure!

    Like

  102. Yawn. Pitt’s current class (up to this point) looks a lot like the last two. But what does a nationally relevant recruiting service know about recruiting? If some random yinzers say a guy is great after watching a hudl video, that’s good enough for me!

    Like

    1. I won’t be happy until I see four stars

      That’s like sprinkles on a cone

      Fudge on vanilla ice cream

      It makes the difference.

      Like

      1. I’ll be happy when I consistently see 8 regular season wins as our floor. If we get there with three stars great. If we get there with four stars even better

        Liked by 2 people

  104. Wow, checked in for some recruiting discussion and had to read wade through the same old vocal minority bitching like a bunch of women… what a treat, nice work ladies.

    And to the rest of us, enjoy this treat during the summer dry period, and Hail to Pitt.

    Liked by 4 people

  105. That’s a stupid comment. I hated Graham but I would have been VERY happy if he had been successful.

    Narduzzi is a jerk. But I will be VERY happy if the recruiting improves, we don’t get EMBARRASSED twice a year on national TV, win a bowl game and maybe, jjust maybe.. beat UNC. ONCE!

    I went to Pitt. My kid goes to Pitt. My other kid wants to go to Pitt. I’m a 20 year season ticket holder and go to every game- despite living more than 3 hours away. I’m also a donor. Nothing would make me happier than a good football team- Narduzzi or not. Don’t claim to know me, Tex or Upitt.. Because you don’t.

    If your happy with the program, good for you. We’re allowed to be unhappy. If you don’t like what we post.. DON’T READ IT.

    H2P

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I know Upitt, according to Mark I do.. I don’t think you’re happy with your life Jay. Stop yelling.

      Like

      1. “I don’t think you’re happy with your life Jay.”

        Yeah, that’s an appropriate comment.

        You just keep being you.

        Like

  106. 1618.. Ladies? Interesting.

    I love the way some people name call behind the veil of internet safety.

    Enjoy your evening.

    Liked by 1 person

  107. more moans and groan for the antis. Two more 3-stars have announced. one a OLB from NY and a DT from FL. The DL from FL looks really good (5.7)

    Speculation is that local 3-stars Hayes and Rawlings will be 2 of the remaining 3 commits. Thus, Pitt will get 0 or 1 4-star this weekend … so far.

    And we remain a house divided.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Then it’s the coach and not the program. Because why would they have picked Pitt given its constraints.

        So if Pitt can’t land elite four stars, it’s on the coach and not the program.

        Can’t have it both ways.

        Like

  108. Can we just stop with the name calling?

    How can anyone take the high ground when they stoop to that?

    I’ve disagreed with quite a few people on here, but I’ve always kept my argument related to the points of the poster- not the poster. It’s childish and weak.

    If you think recruiting services are BS, make that point. If you think Pitt can win more than 7 games with all 3 stars, make that point.

    I disagree with virtually everything Tossing Thabeets posts, but he’s respectful and cogent. He cites stats and facts and builds his narrative. He doesn’t sink to calling people names.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Is calling you biased, unfair and myopic considered namecalling?

      you are at the top of the list for ignoring the difficult schedule the Jerk has faced since he got here. Same goes for not realizing the constraints that the Jerk has and that recruiting for Pitt now is harder than it ever was. And how about not realizing that even the big teams these days have been getting steamrolled …. it happened this past season to Alabama, Ohio St, Michigan, Penn St … t just name a few … and all of the are loaded with 4/5 stars from top to bottom

      And can I call you passe for being STUCK IN THE 70s? 3 decades of sub .500 football, the hardest OOC the past 4 years, one 10-win season since ’81, and 5 different HCs n the past decade …. and you have the unmitigated gall to turn up you nose at a winning coach and 3-stars!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Nope. You didn’t call me a name. And you made a solid point, if not accurate.

        I have always said the strength of schedule should be considered. I’ve also admitted to many of the obstacles Pitt must overcome in recruiting and as a program in general.

        I just don’t get as excited as some over a 28-24 coach who can’t beat UNC, can’t win a bowl game and has done nothing more than mediocre in recruiting.

        Perhaps it’s a reading comprehension thing. Some people choose to take what they want from what others say..

        I have said the following, and continue to do so. I will say it again…

        I think Narduzzi is a jerk. I also think, based on Pitt’s obstacles and lack of desire to be elite, he is the perfect Coach for Pitt. 7-7 seasons and no off field issues is exactly what Pitt desires. I think he will and should stay for another 5-10 years. But don’t call it anything other than what it is.. mediocre.

        Now, disagree all you want, just don’t make $h!t up. I never said Narduzzi sucks. I never said he should be fired. I never said he was an awful recruiter.

        Like

        1. Jay you are making a lot of sense here. However since this the POV there is a a longstanding tradition of excluding outliers in order to make a point. Therefore I am throwing out narduzzi’s worst season. That doesn’t change the bowl record. Nor does it change the record against UNC. Both are inexcusable. However it does change Duzz’s record to to 23-13, with a road upset against #2 Clemson and an acc coastal championship in three seasons. That is actually not too shabby. If we could have just nailed that field goal against Stanford (or convinced Shawn Watson to give the ball to Darrin Hall oh say, more that 16 times), we’d have a bowl win to boot. Oh yea and let’s not forget this is all against a consistently tough schedule. I’m not saying I disagree with you, because honestly you are probably right. A 7 win floor and a strong graduation record and a clean program probably keeps the administration happy. But I also think that they actually are aiming higher. If not they would have just kept Watson, right? Would have kept the old WR coach right? I don’t think we’ve seen the results you, but I personally believe the desire to win is there. For better or worse I believe Narduzzi has convinced Pitt to play the long game. Whether or not the long game pays off in years five six and seven is up for debate.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Thank you for disagreeing with me in a respectful, logical way, focusing on my points and your counters to them. It was refreshing.

            Like

      2. Pitt still had the most blow out losses in one single season since the back to the future days. Pitt could have at least been competitive in those games. Under majors it was bad coaching and players. What is it under Pitt?

        Like

      1. Yes, I did. But he’s not a poster on here, is he?

        And let me ask you a question..

        If a Coach had a player get injured in practice with a life-threatening injury, one that required a 3-4 day stay in the hospital, and he never visited or even called the player- would you consider that Coach a jerk? It happened. And I do.

        Like

      1. Tonight alone, people were referred to as “ladies” and “antis.” I could add “haters” and an innumerable list of others over the past few months.

        Like

        1. I can see how you might get offended about being called a “lady”. Football is a manly sport. You are clearly a male. To refer to you or any man as a “lady” even in jest (which I’m pretty sure it was) is not only factually wrong, but it’s also slightly misogynistic. There could be several actual women on this board who are offended to be lumped in with those who have negative opinions of the program!

          Clearly I am joking here. But Jay we’ve all been called worse.

          As for haters and anti’s, well yes it’s slightly impolite, and it’s a negative label and I’d encourage people to stop labeling people. But labeling is also convenient. And in this case nobody is calling anybody as scum bag or and a**hole (NOT allowed). Now in your case you have clearly pointed out that you are not hating as much as calling it like you see it, but all the same I’d also encourage you to not let it get under your skin now that you’ve set the record straight. I thought your post about supporting the program even though they aren’t meeting your high expectations was excellent

          Like

  109. It all means something. Some sites are better. All sites can miss on what coaches see. It sounds like everyone is picking sides. 1) rivals rating. 2) offers.

    Like

  110. How about we wait until all the commitment information is in and analyze who we got, and size them up based on all the criteria available, being respectful of the young men, but also objectively looking at all the data before cutting everyone down with knee jerk reactions? Then we’d have a valuable and interesting blog.

    Liked by 4 people

  111. Wbb or 1618 What have I said? Wake me up when he gets 3-4 4 stars. Heck he doesn’t even have one yet. Any of you old farts can talk to me in person if you actually attending a golf outing but rather throw yinzer talk from behind your computer. Now bring on the 4 stars. I’m waiting to light up a Cigar. So far I just see 3 stars committed.

    Like

    1. Not sure we even know who all the commits are at this point. I think we had 2 transfer 5 stars in recent years and neither was even starting material. I prefer we jut recruit really good players.

      Like

  112. Agreed. Or post, as I did, that your assessment was based on what we’ve seen to this point.

    And what we’ve seen to this point- according to Rivals- is more of the same.

    I’m rooting for Pitt, as I always do. I’m just not overly excited. It’s not terrible. But it’s certainly not great. What’s the word for that? Mediocre.

    Like

    2. I hear ya brother. The good news is that that only OL we lose this year is Chase Brown (and I guess the transfer Ulizio). We have eight (count ‘em) OL frosh and sophomores on the roster this year (including redshirts). We need only to land two more solid OL and we will be more than replacing our graduation losses. I know it seems odd to only have to sign 3 OL on a given year but that’s the way the roster is shaping up. Geez it’s almost as if someone had a plan…

      Like

  115. I just checked the Rivals’ commitment list for Pitt. There must be some mistake. A couple of these guys just have to be two-stars! Don’t they?

    Come on Rivals…

    Maybe the 4-star guy is really two two-star guys…

    Or maybe Duzz has (at last) assembled a decent group of recruiters (Partridge, Collins, Beatty…).

    Now if Coach Salem comes up with a TE – who actually stays committed – then we’ll know (won’t we ike, 😉) that the times they are a changin’…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  116. Acc is getting tougher. 10 teams currently in the top 35 of rivals team rankings. Is there a conference with more than that? Seems like a lot.

    Like

  117. Well wake up you sleepy heads, PITT has a couple verbals from a couple four star players. Now what are you going to bitch about?

    Like

    1. Who are they?

      Just asking. Please don’t call me a name or conjecture about the unhappiness in my life. I really am asking who those two are.

      Like

        1. No fuss. Was asking who the two 4 stars were. I haven’t seen the names. Despite the unhappiness in my life, I really am hoping for a good recruiting season.

          Like

    2. The most recent one is only a three star since you said F Rivals. Only three stars on ESPN and 247.

      Like

      1. That’s not what I said Tx at least not what I meant. I take all the info and services into account. Then I form my own opinion.

        Like

      1. The most obvious example would be if guys were trolling Coach Narduzzi while complaining about his crappy recruiting on exactly the same day that the program pulled in a half dozen recruits, but until something that bizarre actually happens, I wouldn’t possibly be able to offer up any specific names of such pathetic lost souls.

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Well I’ll be damned. Narduzzi has reeled in two rivals 4* verbals and an espn 4* all in the same day. He also pulled in the second best running back in South Florida / 8A player of the year earlier this week. (and you can piss on his stars that is saying something)

          Feels like a pretty good last few days if you ask me

          Liked by 2 people

    2. I noticed that you always get out of golf because I would smoke you and you owe me dinner.

      Like

      1. Sorry Upitt, but I’m totally faithful, so only my wife gets to smoke me, but I’m sincerely flattered by the offer. 😉

        Like

        1. Just keep it light not everybody has your sense of humor my friend

          Like

          1. Upitt I know you are just joking with dr Tom but please refrain from using the word ass or any other profanity in the future. Thank you

            Like

          2. It is completely acceptable on the other hand to substitute characters . A**. A$$ for example. With that being said I’m sure a man of your intelligence can find more creative ways to bait poor old Dr Tom

            Like

  120. Hey Jay, hope all is well. Hang in there. If you get stuck in life, don’t be afraid to ask someone about it. God bless.

    Liked by 1 person

  121. Jahvante Royal just commuted according to Dokish… another “ D” player!!!! Maybe they all can go both ways… still no BEEF

    Like

    2. Audin didn’t get an offer from Miami, FSU or UF. So if he does he will be at any of those schools. Rivals says a 4 star. 247 says a 3 star. Do we have any legit 4 stars across the board?

      Like

  127. Five of the fifteen are now 5.7 or above.

    Much better than last years percentage

    But y’all need to compare this against each Coastal school come seasons end.

    The ones who really did well will have half their class at that mark. What schools did better, the same or worse than Pitt.

    Pitt only gets ahead if it consistently outrecruits division rivals.

    Like

  128. What is Pitts avg star. Historically it’s been 3.0 or less

    Anything above 3.2 would be good
    Up to 3.4 very good
    Up to 3.6 excellent
    Higher than that is elite

    Tech averages around a 3.3 every year. Miami around a 3.6

    So did Pitt come close to the typical hokie recruiting year.

    Like

    1. 3.08 but only lists thirteen commits. Will go up slightly bc landed one four star and then Hayes who is a three.

      Like

      1. Then Pitt is getting closer. It’s all relative. How is Pitt doing compared to its peers.

        I just look at quality and not sheer numbers.

        Like I’ve previously said countless times, if Pitt can get to that 3.2 to 3.3 level, it will be in good shape for the division. Lack of Talent won’t be why they can’t win at that point.

        Like

        1. Well we won it last year with a crap OC and senior class that ranked around 2.9, so yes we are moving in the right direction.

          Liked by 1 person

  129. Only 3 recruits from Fl had all 3 Fl St. Miami and Florida offers. Seems sad we picked up a few Fl lesser like Parrish that only had 2 and had to settle for Michgan instead of a true Florida offer. 🤪

    Like

    1. Yea man we are really scraping the bottom of the barrel down there in Florida!

      Like

  131. Easy on Mark (Upitt). He’s a little up and down but a great guy.

    Parrish was the second rated RB from south Florida. He must suck.

    Today must really suck for the Narduzzi detractors. I send out my condolences to you all.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Seriously Ike why do you have to go there

      I’m not a fanboy but that doesn’t mean I root against Pitt and wish for sucky recruiting classes to speeden his ouster.

      Pitt is now at 33 percent of the class rated 5.7 and above. Much better than last year but still falling short.

      What are other division teams doing this year

      Am I giddy that Pitt got two four stars. Not really. I’d be giddy if Pitt landed twice that.

      This detractor just has higher expectations and I’m not feeling miserable.

      Like

        1. I can read between the lines
          I am a ‘detractor’
          And proud one
          It really doesn’t suck that narduzzi finally lands a multiple 4 star class
          I get no joy out of seeing Pitt fail

          Like

          1. You could have fooled me TX. Then maybe it’s just that you just get some joy if it looks like Narduzzi is failing.

            Like

  134. PITT rated #24 in recruiting class. oops. BUT I still have to say. I don’t give a dam about the rating. I will say these players look to b good recruits. We will see down the road.

    Like

  136. Sorry “someone” can’t be on tonight. News is too positive and he would have a hard time being negative.

    Like

  137. I checked the site this afternoon and you guys were all upbeat and positive about the recruits who were committing, someone even suggesting this may be a turnaround year in recruiting, the best recruiting in 30 years. It was practically a love fest! My wife and I go out to dinner in a group of 8 neighbors/friends, we have a great time. We come home and feeling good I check the POV for an update. Half of you guys are at each other’s throats because there no identified 4 stars committing yet. Yeesh! Chill! I’m going to continue remembering the great time and the great food we had this evening with our friends. H2P! Soccer Gramps

    Liked by 2 people

  138. Local kid Dayon Hayes sounds like a great addition to the team. Rated one of the best recruits in PA.

    Looks like we picked up some future “stars” today – if we can hold onto them until signed.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I agree that Pitt had some reaches in last year’s class. But there is some talent there and having a promising 4-star 6’6” QB in the class helps a ton.

        That class was somewhat down, but I’m guessing there will be at least a half dozen contributors. Most classes only have about half the class as major contributors.

        With the guys signed this month added to last year’s class, we suddenly have a young group of LBs who look pretty darn good, IMHO… WR Gipson and the RBs from last year’s class look like good athletes- we have to hope the 2 OLmen are decent…

        Go Pitt.

        Like

        1. We have no idea how last years class will turn out do we. If I’m not mistaken don’t we have a couple of 2 stars staring for Pitt this coming season?

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  139. I guess some folks have a little more of a sensitivity about the civility of banter? If I’m guilty of that I apologize but as I’ve stated before. I talk on the POV as if I were talking to my best friends. When we talk we always end each conversation with we love each other and goodbye talk to you real soon. I really don’t get the at each others throats? Yet, I do get how some people are different from one another..

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  140. for clarification …. antis is not aunties. Antis is plural of anti. An anti means opposed to or against

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  142. Ike, hope I didn’t overstate it. I was simply pointing out how the attitudes of some appeared to deteriorate from this afternoon to this evening. I particularly noticed the difference after being away from the site for several hours. I usually just chuckle when some of you get into it but felt like pointing it out tonight, particularly since there was much good news. Ok, enough beating a dead horse. Things have picked up. I just looked at Rivals and our class is ranked 22nd so for now well ahead of the nits and some other programs that we are usually not ahead of in recruiting. It is a long time to LOI day but right now we are looking good. By rhe way Ike, knowing you only by your posts, I think you are a really good guy and a truly strong and loyal Pitt fan. H2P! Soccer Gramps

    Liked by 3 people

  145. Holy moly! I attend my sons’ baseball doubleheader, come home and cut the grass, have a nice dinner with family and then watch a movie with my wife. Before bed, I check in to the POV and what do I find? PANDEMONIUM!!! The sniping at each other reaches a fever pitch on the best recruiting day we’ve had in 15 years!

    In case anyone missed it, we are neither Clemson nor Alabama. We play in a half empty stadium in a cold weather city. We will never compete with the Steelers. So today was great, even if the commitments were not from 5 star kids.

    I don’t care what recruiting site you care to favor, we are into the top 25. If we stay there, I’d call that progress.

    Doesn’t change the fact that we can’t apparently beat UNC or win a bowl game. But at least for today, some good news.

    Liked by 6 people

  146. Had some golf and am back. Seems like quite the day. Narduzzi got some quality VERBALS today.The test will be if he can keep them in the fold if a few of them have a great year for their respective teams. Time will tell.

    In the interim, his staff needs to be evaluating their current roster to determine who they need to have the talk with so that Pitt can have more room if the momentum continues.I don’t trust the administration one iota.

    Like

  148. Yesterday was a good day. This is not the early eighties.
    Welcome to our future Panthers with every hope they exceed their potential.
    Congrats to Narduzzi and Co. for a really good job.

    Liked by 4 people

  149. Great recruiting this weekend. These kids haven’t even played their senior years. This classes ranking will go up. Love it.

    Liked by 1 person

  150. Woke up this morning accepting the fact that those so called “Pitt fans” that fail to comprehend the significance of yesterday’s Pitt recruiting coup, do not deserve my replies to their critical assessment of the program’s current recruiting efforts. Therefore, my silence should not be construed as acceptance that your POV holds merit, but rather, is not worth my energy to debate your pessimistic perceptions.
    Hail to Pitt!

    Liked by 5 people

    1. I really hope that yesterday was a sign that Narduzzi and the staff have turned a corner.
      It was great to see some high level recruits commit. It would be nice if this was an annual thing.

      The POV was sure buzzing yesterday!!! It was funny to read back through all the comments. Great job guys! H2P!

      Like

    2. youre one poster than can really be a butt hurt

      some like me that have been critical of narduzzi get singled out
      i point out where Pitt needs to be every year to win 10 games
      4-5 four stars, 50% or more of the class rated 5.7 or above, an avg star around 3.3
      and posters get giddy when Pitt even falls short of the my established mark…the recruiting mark that should be able to take Pitt to the next level (consistent top 20 seasons)

      Fans like you are fine with mediocrity and winning 7-8 games and going to crappy bowls
      The Pitt administration preys on fans like you who help enable them because you dont use critical thinking, you dont have higher aspirations and you drink the koolaid
      Yet a fan like me gets attacked

      so Pitt now stands at two four stars and an avg star of 3.13 which means its one of Narduzzis better ones based on paper

      Thats great but it can and should be better. Pitts recruiting is done. Other schools in their division still have a long way to go. Look at how Pitt did relative to rivals come seasons end

      Go on back to deluding yourself that detractors like me are miserable. I’m actually glad that at least this year Narduzzi’s staff has figured out how to recruit.

      And last thing, if you disagree with me fine thats fine. I dont take it personally. I build facts around my arguments and do have opinions that are just that. But please address them to me directly. I dont speak for Jay, UPitt or Reed or whoever else is labeled ‘detractor’, ‘pessimist’, ‘negative’, ‘nitter troll’, etc

      Liked by 1 person

  152. I’m going to back in time to my post-POV days when I paid very little attention to recruiting and focused on wins & losses.

    I welcome all the new Pitt men who joined our fine university with their verbal commitments these past few months. I’m rooting for HC Duzz to get all of them signed and behind the “locked gates” of Pitt FB.

    The FB history is rich and needs to be re-established. I believe Duzz has embraced that in his own way, which some fans don’t lyke. I want ten + wins each season and will only settle for less in a rebuild year.

    I hope to see many of you in the late Summer and Fall tailgating and talking winning FB.

    UPitt – I’ll smoke that victory cigar later this afternoon. Enjoy yours my friend.

    H2P!

    Liked by 3 people

  153. #22 oh boy, looks like winning the Coastal did help recruiting and losing the bowl game didn’t have that bad of a negative effect. Glad for that. I was hoping for Parks though, shucks.

    Liked by 1 person

  154. I don’t understand why its so upsetting to so many that some of our POVers rightly see the glass as half empty. Until a POVer can go back in time and change the score of the NC game Pitt got beat again by a horrible team. And there are a dozen or more examples of SOP in very recent memory that these glass is half empty POVers can point to which are indelible and painful. The fact of the matter is that there are a bunch of 5.5 recruits that are being touted as superb players and maybe they are but the half empty group has every right to be suspicious. And when I say “every right” I don’t mean in the freedom sense I mean that they may be right that a 5.5 rating means that they are 5.5 talents. Let’s value their scepticism because from what I can based on the past 4 years or so there is a 50% chance they are right.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I get annoyed by the repetitive arguments on both sides. It becomes a spiel instead of a conversation starter nor does it help move the conversation forward. Emphasis on “both sides”. I fall into the trap too and try to disengage when I see it happening. It’s why I disappear for threads at a time. If I don’t think I can contribute anything worthwhile, I shut up … Or I catch myself not providing anything worthwhile and I shut up to give you guys a break. Haha.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. By the same token, 6&34 I would argue that it is the glass half empty crowd who gets upset by posters who dare to hope that our Panthers are turning the corner…H2P!

      Like

  155. The depth is really being built to set the future up nicely, so now the wins need to come on the field. Are you ready to lead this team to more Ws, Mr. Pickett? Scoring more points will lead to more wins as the defense is set up to be the best in the Narduzzi era.

    Those not happy with the current state: this is Pitt. There is always a good chance the administration can screw this up. Sir Patrick Gallagher flushed basketball down the toilet and is more than capable of doing it to football. Heather could always think an assistant from her tOSU days can come in and do the job on the cheap.

    Liked by 1 person

  159. I laugh at grown men on here arguing in a mean spirited fashion over ratings that are both inaccurate and subjective and based on a players junior year, especially over 0.1 or 0,2. All you have to do is look at Aaron Donald. I watched Sean Lee play football from the time he was 10 years old thru high school football with my son. I knew he was going to play in the NFL, his 3* rating not withstanding. This should be a fun discussion, so lighten up Francis.

    Liked by 10 people

    1. Aaron Donald was indeed a 3 star. He was rated at a 5.7 and would have been a 4 star had he not committed to Pitt in April of his junior year, which held down his offer list. A strong offer list is important to the ranking system. Sean Lee had a low 3 star rating and limited offers (<10 i believe) because he was more proficient as a running back which didn’t translate well to college football. Once he specialized on the defensive side of the ball, he obviously blossomed into a superior lbr. The same argument can be made for Hayes this year, except that instead of a strong offer sheet, the part that holds him back from 4 star status is the fact that he plays in the city league. Therefore, he get 5.7, three star status. Understanding the “why” is very important, not just the what (ranking).

      Cherry picking an occasional three star breakout does not seal an argument that three stars are great and the way to go, in my opinion. It is what you do with those three stars. Personally, I believe Pitt keeps too much dead weight around when they decide a kid is not going to pan out. I also believe Pitt is getting better at having the “thanks for trying and you will have a better opportunity to see the field elsewhere” talk. After two years in the program, coaches that see an athlete almost every day should know if there is a solid contributor, or if they need to go elsewhere.

      Like

      2. Gonna finish cooking my ribs and listen to good music outside. Finally a nice stretch of good sunny days around here. I’m thinking Upitt nailed it right smack on the head, I suggest you all reread his post above. He makes a lot of sense.

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  160. This class is full of very good players from the south. Something we all wished for a few years back.

    This class took a giant leap yesterday that everyone should be excited about.

    Great weekend for Pitt football.

    Liked by 5 people

  163. As far as all the posters pointing out that there is too much sniping, bickering and back and forth between the posters, you make valid points. I’ll say it again, I’ve never attempted or intended to quash anyone’s opinion. I get sick and tired of the constant negativity just like you all get sick and tired of whatever it is that you are sick and tired of. It’s all just our own opinions. It’s a two way street and what happens on Blogs and message boards. For a few, they have nothing good to say about PITT football and particularly Narduzzi. That’s as tiresome to me as bickering is to some of you. Glad you all spoke up but…… that’s what I do to.

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      2. Isn’t that life itself? I think so.

        Seriously, if someone feels this is bickering or sniping haven’t been on the other goofy message boards. We’re family here.

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  165. Oh How I Hate OSU – Would love that but working in Miami the last 11 years I have found a few as well. Haha. Be careful lots of fakes out there. Secret is in the label. Thanks for offer. I will smoke some with you guys. I’m firing up one soon with coffee.

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  167. MM – Help, please! Can’t post as Tossing Thabeets anymore. Comments won’t post.

    Now my comment …

    This recruiting class is the next step to getting better. Luckily, Pitt got to the Coastal after a sub-par recruiting class last year … according to some … I saw it more as depth filling class … but I digress … because the dreaded “becoming stale” really had a chance of enveloping the program.

    Even I agree Pitt needed a spark. Regardless of what you think of this recruiting class, it is providing a spark to the team and the fan base. What Pitt does with this momentum is on the coaching staff. Take this excitement into camp and turn into wins and everyone is happy. Go .500 again, and we may be seeing another class like last season in 2021.

    One thing that can’t be argued is that Pitt is becoming faster. Speed across position groups on the entire team. Speed a talent that equalize on the field. If you’re faster, sometimes you can beat better.

    I said in the beginning, 10 wins should always be the goal. I also said Pitt was a 10 year project. 5 years to turn a corner (Coastal) and another 5 years with consistent winning (and recruiting). That is what it will take for Pitt to become what everyone wants. Another 5 classes with classes like this, improving a little bit each subsequent season, and Pitt will be that borderline top 10 team everyone wants.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Man this is a great post and I will say that ever since the beginning I’ve admired your logical and even handed perspective TT. Unfortunately I cannot fix your login problem without going back to requiring a WP login, which nobody wants. I’ll ask you to take one for the team here and slightly modify your handle going forward

      Like

  168. This blog and life would suck if everyone said the same things. I also think improvement comes from being transparent. People take this to serious. It isn’t like it pays your mortgage or sleeps next to you at night. Great place to BS, talk some sports and life. Gorilla Glue had a good weekend. Still need 1-2 more 4 stars but trending right way. The problem with the talent so far from Pittsburgh is these kids will be recruited hard locally and girlfriends and family will push to stay local. Pitt better understand that and see them early and often.

    Liked by 4 people

  169. Notre Dame establishing itself in the WPIAL while Pitt and Penn State were f’ing around with coaches and sanctions really hurt Pitt’s fence around around Pittsburgh. With ND moving in and the WPIAL in decline Duzz came to Pitt at a bad time. It’s partly why recruiting has been such a hot topic. He’s been forced to go south and it’s taken a little while to get a foothold. Looks like it’s coming to fruition a little.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. ND always had a presence here. Heck, back in late 60s and 70s, 3 starting ND QBs were Hanratty (Butler), Clements (Canevin) and Montana (Ringold). All 3 QBed National title teams.

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  170. I’m thinking that Duzz decided not to get a TE to commit early because it seems like every time Duzz does this, someone like Stanford then offers the promising TE and off he goes…

    Though now that we have the rep of Coach Whip to hang our helmet on, I think (and hope) that may change…😊

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  171. Recruiting is not done in a vacuum. Here is how Pitt stacks up with its division rivals: Based on the percentage of the class rated 5.7 stars and above:

    Miami: 83%
    NC: 53%
    Virginia: 50%
    Ga Tech: 38%
    Pitt: 33%
    Duke: 13%
    Va Tech: 0%
    Coastal Avg: 47%

    Note: Va Tech only has 4 recruits so far

    You can see that Miami is killing it
    NC with a new coach Mack is also doing very well
    Bronco is getting a high percentage of elite level players (small sample though)
    Ga Tech with a new coach is hauling in a surprisingly good class

    I expect Va Tech and Dukes percentages to increase as they fill out their classes
    Virginia’s percentage will most likely drop

    But as it now stands, the typical team in the division comes very close to having half their class rated 5.7 stars and above. Thats the mark I’ve been telling everyone.

    Based on talent alone, Pitt will be hard pressed to consistently beat Miami and NC if these recruiting stats hold and project out to future classes. Va Tech typically lands half their class at the mark.

    Just some perspective.

    Many are finally getting excited because Pitt cooked up some good burgers for once. But other schools are grillin steaks. Its all relative.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. …And yet we won the coastal with a crap OC and a senior class (and redshirt senior class) that Averaged 2.9 stars. If I get done mowing the lawn in time I’ll look to see what % was 5.7+. Well under 50% would be my guess.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. But you can’t bank on that as a proven way to win anything. In football it’s talent and coaching. Pitt did indeed catch some luck. But to consistently win, you need certain tangible factors on your side.

        Pitt can’t rely that Miami has a bad qb and coaching turmoil

        Pitt can’t rely on Virginia tech losing half their starters to injury

        Pitt can’t rely on Virginia not having the talent anymore

        You get my point

        Everything fell into place for Pitt. Pitt got those breaks. You can’t bank on getting all the breaks every year

        Need to have substance.

        If you think Pitt can continue winning Coastal titles without stepping up their recruiting and coaching, how will they do it.

        That’s why you need to look at how these other teams are recruiting. And importantly, who is their QB.

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      2. Miami has elite talent on the roster every year. But they’ve only won one Coastal. Why? Coaching, injuries, lack of QB, scheme, bad bounces, etc

        Well a factor alone doesn’t determine anything

        But I’ll take a school with very good coaching and elite players any day. The odds to win are so much better. But still no guarantee since factors aren’t isolated.

        Teams with better talent typically beat teams with lessor talent in any sport. Coaching and scheme can only do so much.

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        1. I don’t understand the angst about recruiting.

          The southern schools SHOULD out-recruit Pitt. That’s just a fact. The main talent is in the south. Duh!

          Many southern kids won’t even consider going to the cold north. And if they go “north” at all, it’s maybe as far as NC or VA.

          That’s just the way it is…

          Doesn’t mean we can’t win on the field – just a tougher job for the coaches at Pitt.

          And congrats to those coaches for doing a nice job so far in this recruiting season! 👍

          Go Pitt.

          Liked by 5 people

          1. Miami should always out-recruit every school in the Coastal. NC is a basketball school but has everything in place to develop into a power. Ga Tech should be highly successful given the state but I’ve never seen a Technical school be consistently good at football. Duke is a basketball school. Virginia and Va Tech arent really part of the South anymore and the weather is similar to Pittsburgh. I just hope the Florida and Georgia kids honor their verbals.

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            1. TX – I live in Northern VA just west of DC. The athletic talent here alone gives UVA and VT an upper hand. Even with higher admission standards for UVA the crazy good public schooling in the metro area has more than enough talent to get in.

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            2. All true except GA tech has some pretty strenuous academic hurdles and they don’t have much in the way of liberal arts majors / “soft skills” majors to fall back on if a student doesn’t want to do all that math.

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  172. Wbb – Yes, ND has always had a presence but their stability at coach and our chaos created a vacuum they’ve taken advantage of.

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  174. Somebody should do an analysis of how the top rated Pittsburgh area kids did in their careers after going to ND. Any in NFL?

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  175. No sweat TT. I still see the vision of DeJuan leveraging that 7-footer over his back every time I see “TT”!

    Some visions will NEVER die!
    (Ike – that’s your cue to give us that video!)

    Like

  176. Miami always has and always will recruit better than Pitt, at least for the last 35 years. So has Clemson, Florida State and a lot of other P-5 teams. It all is based on where you set the bar on whether you think this class is good bad or average and even then we won’t really know for three or more years.

    If you set the bar at top ten status you will always get to say it stinks, even top twenty, but the fact is this is better than last year and maybe the best in the Narduzzi era.

    I dare say improvement is what we are all after, and this was definitely improvement, how much is yet to be determined.

    I am very happy that these guys decided to come to Pitt. For those of you that think it could have been better, it also could have been far worse. Most of these guys had really good offers from multiple schools, give Narduzzi and Co. a lot of credit for convincing them that Pitt is it for them.

    HTP!!!!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I dont think anyone said this class stinks
      I’m pointing out that it is all relative

      Relative to last year, it looks great
      Relative to other schools in the division, its just average

      We Pitt fans may like the taste of our burgers, but have you seen the burgers being cooked by Miami, NC, Tech and Virginia?

      Its like a Yinzer thinking IC Light is the best beer in the world until he tries Genny Light.

      Like

  177. Ike, Thank you for your positive Word Press response to my last comment. Having 81 birthdays in the rear view mirror and having never been a techie it sometimes takes me a while to figure out apparently simple things such as sending a Word Press response, hence this post. H2P, Soccer Gramps

    Liked by 2 people

  179. A man walks into his house with a sheep under his arm and says, “Honey, this is the pig I’ve been screwing.”
    His wife looks up from her book and replies, “That’s not a pig, dummy.”
    To which he says, “I want talking too you.”

    Recruiting is all relative.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. just realized that Chrissie’s version was that SHE walked into the house with a DUCK … and she didn’t use the word ‘screwing’

        Like

  181. OK, Tx Panther, let me fulfill your request of addressing you directly, since your 9:02 comment from this morning, although not mentioning me by name, hit all the points that would characterize me as being the poster that you’re referring to in that comment.

    First & foremost, you are a distant second to my beloved nemesis Upittbaseball, he’s the guy who can often get my goat, more than anyone, with his pessimistic view of all things Pitt & also can put me in a evil mood with his negativity. You by comparison, I view as simply a grumpy old man expressing your opinions. So, although you may group yourself in with the pessimistic naysayers, which is OK by me, I’d beg you not to call foul for being “called out”. By that I mean, don’t try to convince me that you don’t take the anonymous shade that I cast yesterday on those who I portrayed as the “glass half empty” crowd, who consistently are critical of our football program, but then turn right around & whine about being “called out”. You were never even mentioned by name, so I suggest that you grow a thicker skin. Believe me, you’ll know when my wrath is being specifically directed your way, just ask Upitt about that. (BTW Upitt, I’m still waiting for you to take me up on my open invite to come out to my Club for a round of golf next time your business brings you into Savannah. That’s the only way we’ll actually determined whose butt gets kicked around the golf course, LOL)

    Now that being said. if you’re going to put your arbitrary criteria of what in your mind puts Narduzzi’s efforts into the category of a successful season or not, then you better be prepared to field resistance from those with differing opinions. So don’t take offense when another poster disagrees with your assessment of what that criteria should be, since they’re entitled to their own opinions also. You don’t get that exclusive privilege. Nor do you get the exclusive right of characterizing another fan’s criteria for what satisfies their own criteria of success, while assuming that you have immunity to the blow back from them when you’re off base & get those assumptions corrected.

    Case in point, you state what is your recruiting criteria, in your mind, that will result in ten win seasons, that which fulfills your standard for “success” I guess. Well, actually there is only one true criteria actually required for winning ten game seasons. That criteria is, that by season’s end, to have 10 games in the win column, PERIOD. How a program gets there is a mine field of variables that run the gamut from recruiting, to strength of schedule, injuries, game day preparation, coaching, suspensions, weather, how the ball bounces, luck, etc.. My opinion of what spells success might be different from yours, doesn’t make me right, just makes my opinion different. Learn to live with that & you and I will have no issues going forward.

    Now Narduzzi’s “stated” goal for this team since he got here has been to win our division in the ACC. His, not your criteria, not mine, HIS. So in his mind at least that goal was successfully achieved last season. Obviously you aren’t happy with that goal as determining just how high the bar should be set for this program, I got that. Know what, I wasn’t satisfied either. A 7-7 season dropping all those games in a row at the end after beating Wake Forest for the Coastal Crown left a real bad taste in my mouth. Getting spanked by Clemson & losing to Stanford in our bowl game was very disheartening for me.

    Looking at the circumstances however, I viewed that season ending debacle as some bad luck with Morrissey going down in that WF game, a team letdown after achieving their goal and running into three really good teams at season’s end & into the post season being more responsible for that 4 game skid much more than the effect that Narduzzi’s recruiting & coaching influence had on those results. Just my opinion.

    But does that make me critical 7 negative of the program while holding Narduzzi’s feet to the fire for that 7-7 season? No it doesn’t, because we played a really tuff schedule last season. Our OOC competition was one of the hardest schedules in Power 5 schools & we had an OC that IMO was way too conservative with putting the ball in the air. Big factors both preventing this team form going 8-6, 9-5 or even your own criteria for success at 10-4.

    Look it, life is short, why be upset because your college football team that you follow failed to reach the bar height that you made up in your mind to be happy with? Enjoy the moments of success when they come around why don’t ya? Coming back to beat Duke at home with Hall running wild on those game breaking long TDs was great. The Panthers beating an eventual 10 win Syracuse Orange team for an essential ACC win in OT was exciting, Ollison’s highlight filled day against VT (they’re learning how to hate Pitt) was awesome and being there in person at the Wake Forest game to witness my Panthers winning their 1st ACC Coastal Crown was fantastic, I was so happy for those kids that day. In my mind that’s what makes for a successful program, just giving it your best shot every time you strap on the helmet!

    On the flip side, I was in a bad mood all frickin weekend after both the UNC & UCF loses. Not their best preparation in either game, & in fact, especially in the UNC game a pretty putrid game by both team & coaching staff. That is the reality of the situation however. Sometimes the Panthers just are not prepared or lack the best game day results. But I don’t think that they ever quit in either of those games, not because lack of effort anyhow.

    And I’ve witnessed those Panther teams in the past that lacked effort & folded up their tents in games over the past decades since I’ve been a student at Pitt. There was no “drinking of the Koolaid” as you suggest that I partake of during such seasons. However by comparison, this team right now IMO has no resemblance to those SOP teams of the past, that ones that would collapse in games due to lack of effort, lack of spirit &/or being simply run over by overwhelming superiority.

    By comparison, these Narduzzi teams have been run clean & in doing so still show potential. They play with heart & most of the kids seem to be solid student athletes that keep out of trouble & have higher than average graduation rates. To me, that’s important, maybe just as important as your 10 win seasons. Would I like both, damn right I would but don’t label me as a Koolaid drinker, lacking critical thinking skills while being satisfied with mediocrity. Not accurate Tx. Just because I get down on others who consider also consider themselves Pitt fans but somehow can’t seem to avoid criticizing the program even on one of the best recruiting days that Narduzzi has produced during his time here at Pitt, doesn’t label me that way, because if you are a “realist”, there’s a time for that kind of negativity, & IMO yesterday was an inappropriate time for such criticism. That’s keeping it real IMO.

    As always Hail to Pitt.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. this is what you said:
      ‘Woke up this morning accepting the fact that those so called “Pitt fans” that fail to comprehend the significance of yesterday’s Pitt recruiting coup, do not deserve my replies to their critical assessment of the program’s current recruiting efforts. Therefore, my silence should not be construed as acceptance that your POV holds merit, but rather, is not worth my energy to debate your pessimistic perceptions.’
      Hail to Pitt!

      This is what ticked me off:
      Your use of the word ‘so called Pitt fans.’ So my failure to get giddy over this class is calling out my perspective as fake and my loyalty to Pitt as something to question.

      You state that people like me dont deserve your replies, but you just directly responded to me didnt you?

      Isnt the POV for critical debate of differing opinions and beliefs about the programs. It shouldnt be a forum to silence them. Isnt merit for ones POV often supported by evidence and sometimes just passion?

      I dont want to get personal with anyone but I needed to call you out since this wasnt the first time for you to flame.

      However, I am glad you better explained yourself by taking the time to respond to me.

      I just dont see yesterday’s recruiting success as some watershed moment…maybe it is with Narduzzi and that would be great. But the class relative to other Coastal schools is just average. Its all relative. I wouldnt call that perspective pessimistic. I just laid out facts above if you care to take a look.

      I did like your comeback to UPitt’s jab though.

      Like

      1. Got it. Replied to you out of courtesy & in fact we’ve had a critical debate over,,,,,timely criticism. Oh, the irony.

        Us Pitt fans is all we got here on the POV anyhow, right? Like who in their right mind would waste time on this blog if they were not all wound up in Panther athletics anyway?

        I don’t post much any more so you’ll seldom butt heads with me in any case down the road.

        H2P!

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        1. To be honest, the thing that upset me was the implied questioning of loyalty. I may be critical or see the pessimist side but I’m as loyal as they get. And I know you are.

          What pisses me off the most is Pitt taking advantage of its loyal fans. In a small way, my comments are designed to wake some of them up.

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  182. Doc, words that needed to be spoken…………… Tx is one of the most articulate posters on the POV. Always backs his comments with facts. I love you Tx and you are mostly grounded. You did seem to me that the skin got a little thin when Narduzzi started to reel in a nice recruiting class. No sniping here but we all need to look in the mirror at times.

    Like

  183. Sorry my friend Bruce, youtube is pissed off at me like some POVer’s. What are you going to do Benny? There’s nothing we can do.

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  184. I am a lifelong Pirate fan and know they are horribly managed and will never win again. Still I root for them like my life depends on a Good days outcome.

    I am a Pitt Grad and a lifelong Pitt fan. Reed will tell you I have bled rooting for their success even in the worst of times. I am loathe to give Duzz any credit for anything but failure.

    So why then, can I be in the half full side and say that this is the best recruiting class since Wanny days!
    Because it’s true.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. the Pirates IMO is a good analogy to Pitt. They win games they shouldn’t, the lose games the should win. Most of the time they are playing against teams with superior talent. Occasionally they are going have a pretty good year or 2, but it won’t last.

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      1. You rarely, and I mean rarely, see the Pirates out-Coach anyone.

        They need to clean house, IMHO, especially the pitching coaches and the manager.

        The Pirates’ pitching philosophy of all out emphasis on “fastball command” has been the ruination of some decent arms and a total failure…

        Go Pitt.

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  185. Saw this on the Lair. I don’t have a clue who David Hale is but he did some studying on the ACC secondary units for this coming season and ranked them as follows:

    ACC Secondary 2019 Preseason Power Rankings

    Miami
    Florida State
    Clemson
    Duke
    Pitt
    Virginia
    Wake
    Syracuse
    UNC
    NC State
    11 Virginia Tech
    Boston College
    Louisville
    Georgia Tech

    Go Pitt.

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    1. Isn’t he one of the writers from ESPN who covers ACC football? Dokish/Peak sometimes retweets his twitter.

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  186. I see CT leaving AAC with CT BB into BE and CT FB going where???

    Maybe ACC looking at this movement. Who knows.

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    1. The talking heads down here in Atlanta say realigning is a when and not and if, and it will be tied to the CFP contract expiration date, which is after the 2026 playoff.

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  187. So far this recruiting cycle is the best since Narduzzi has taken over. The reasons for this are probably due to his coaching staff being the best it has ever been, stability in the coaching staff for the most part, and somewhat due to A.D.’s donation. The ACC Coastal Division title probably helped but it is the least important part of the puzzle. Pitt going 7-7 kind of negated that title. (Still pissed at a great opportunity lost!) The next step Narduzzi has to take is to start having double digit winning seasons and winning bowl games. This is crucial if he expects to continue to have these kinds of recruiting results or improve upon them. While recruiting is nice it is not worth much if the results do not improve.

    As for all the quibbling on the whether these recruits are worthy, I am disappointed in our bantering. These young men have decided to commit to Pitt and should have our support. The coaching staff decided they wanted them and they accepted their offer. I wish them the best and hope they all honor their commitment.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. If Miami would have played to their potential and won the Coastal…… PITT would have ended the season with AT LEAST one less loss. Then what?

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  190. Soccer gramps, Ike is a good dude.
    Erie, smoking my cigar from the outing at my yard bonfire…same as my grandfather smoked. Please thank Rachel.
    JoeL, haha… loved the stay off the moors comment. Moon dance from the movie was one of our wedding songs…Van Morrison.
    H2P

    Liked by 1 person

  192. Good recruiting class so far. I think that Narduzzi has finally adapted recruiting to accept that his recruits will never mostly come from WPA or even PA. For this class to be really good he must bring in 2-3 OLs and 2 TEs, maybe one more interior DL.

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  193. These recruits reflect the work of assistant coaches who know and recruit the South. Where are the Ohio and New Jersey recruits? Who covers those areas?

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  195. So Dayon Hayes from Westinghouse triggered a memory of the first recruiting class I remember at Pitt.
    In 1967 the big Pitt recruits were Lloyd Weston from Westinghouse and Ralph Cindrich. Lloyd played for legendary coach Pete Dimperio. Of course Ralph went on to play in the NFL and became a big time lawyer and agent.

    I can still remember watching Ralph rehab a knee in the weight room at Trees Hall. The weight room was open to all students at Pitt and I spent a few hours there while on the Gym Team.

    I had never seen a greater work ethic than Ralph had on that knee machine. Don’t remember many other football players hitting the weights that much. They might have had more free weights down at the stadium.

    Still having trouble with Word Press on my hand held devices. What a pain.

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